Free Kara Griffin - The Pith Trilogy by Warrior's Pledge

journey to Scotland much longer.
    Julianna awoke when Aunty knocked at the door and came inside.
    “Dearest, dress yourself. I have news. We’ll meet in my solar.” Aunty left the chamber with her faithful hound following.
    Juliana tossed aside the blankets and put her feet upon the cold floor. She loved this place; leaving would be difficult. After she dressed and washed, she tidied the room. When she stepped into the hall, the aroma of freshly baked bread wafted from the stairway. Men’s deep burrs rose from the hall. Her uncle greeted guests, and she heard his bellowed greetings. She’d have to stay hidden now. Approaching Aunty’s solar; she slipped inside, not bothering to knock. Memories flooded her, but her attention drew to Aunty’s voice and the boy who stood beside her.
    “Aunty, I’m here, I wanted … Oh, shall I come back later?”
    Aunty shook her head. The boy listened intently to her aunt. He was a tall Scot lad with light-blonde hair, and wore the woolen plaid the Highlanders favored. He didn’t seem to be more than two and ten.
    “Tell him I’d be eternally in his debt, and that he’s a good lad to do me this favor. Don’t speak to him in front of others because no one must know she’s here.”
    “Aye, milady,” he said, bowing. “I’ll deliver your message to my laird and return with his answer.” The boy gawked at her when he passed by. Before he closed the door, he grinned.
    Julianna took a seat beside the table where Aunty placed ale, bread, chunked cheese, and a few of her special sweet buns.
    “Eat, ye need your strength,” Aunty said, taking a seat. “I have news: someone came from Bentley’s manor this morn. We told him we hadn’t heard from ye and that we would send word if we did.”
    Julianna stiffened. “Did he believe you? I am sorry to involve you.” Her voice faltered.
    “Now, now.” Aunty patted her hand. “I can handle that rotter my sister married. I don’t see why the squire wouldn’t have believed me. He ate in the kitchens and should be convinced.”
    “I should leave at once. My father sent men after me, but I escaped when they rode at us. Doris didn’t get away. Bleeth tricked them and got away.”
    “I know all about Bleeth. Ye did the right thing coming here. I thought we would—”
    Julianna interrupted, “I want to go to Sara’s. She said I could come if I needed to. You’ve been so good to me these many years, and I cannot risk your safety. If anything happened to you, I couldn’t bear it.”
    “Such a sweet child, to be concerned for others. But ye need to worry about yourself.”
    “Does that boy know someone who could take me to Scotland? I have jewels my mother left me. She said if ever I needed to get away to use them as payment. Since Father gave them to her, she found irony in that.” She frowned, disbelieving what she told Aunty.
    “Aye, Joanna would. She was a wonderful sister and I miss her.” Her eyes filled with tears.
    “Aunty, I didn’t mean to distress you. I shouldn’t have mentioned my mother.”
    Mathilda wiped her eyes with her apron. “Thinking of my sister always makes me weepy. The lad will report back soon. I have no fear the laird won’t take you to Scotland. You’re a clever lass to think of that. Byron doesn’t know how fond of that place ye are. He deems he punished you by sending you here,” she explained. Aunty motioned for her to take a sweet bun, but Julianna shook her head.
    Her aunt continued, “Your mother feared Bentley. She often told me she worried for her safety. Our father would never have allowed her to remain with him if he knew how he treated her. Joanna made me promise to take care of you and died after our last visit.” Mathilda sighed.
    Julianna tried to offer some comfort. Mathilda stood and walked to the pitcher across the room. She poured water into goblets for them and returned to sit next to her.
    “The laird is a good man. My husband has dealt with him for years. You’ll be